Russell Wilson contract extension: Broncos QB lands new deal worth $245 million ahead of first season in Denver

The Denver Broncos and nine-time Pro Bowl quarterback Russell Wilson have agreed to a contract extension, the team announced Thursday. The new deal is worth $245 million over five years, including $165 million in guarantees, from Ian Rapoport.

As CBS Sports NFL Insider Jonathan Jones noted, “The Walton-Penner Group took over on August 9th and completed this deal within the first 4 weeks of ownership.”

“In just a few months with the Broncos, Russell has already had a dramatic effect on this organization both on and off the field,” Broncos general manager George Paton said in a statement. “His leadership, work ethic and champion mentality has helped elevate our team in partnership with Coach Hackett, his teammates and staff. I would like to thank Greg Penner and our entire ownership group for the support and resources to get this long-term extension completed. I also appreciate the collaboration and communication with Russell’s agent, Mark Rodgers, as well as Rich Hurtado on our team. We will continue to focus on building and maintaining a championship roster with Russell as a quarterback in the future.”

Wilson, 33, is entering his first season with the Broncos since acquiring the Seahawks in March. Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett has always been known to build the game plan around his quarterback rather than having that quarterback stick to his game plan. The partnership in the Rockies seems off to a good start.

“He really is a 24/7 guy. He wants to be great. He wants to know everything. No little thing is less important than another,” Hackett said in an interview with SiriusXM NFL Radio. “All these rumors I’ve heard are so true, it’s just watching him in the way he works, how he studies. It’s the whole year for him. It’s not just during the season That’s something he kept showing.”

One would assume fans are eagerly waiting to find out whether or not the phrase ‘Let Russ Cook’ followed him to AFC West or if that’s a thing of the past.

Wilson’s contract ranks third in total guarantees behind Cleveland’s Deshaun Watson ($230 million) and Arizona’s Kyler Murray ($189.5 million).

Despite a broken finger in Week 5 of the 2021 regular season against the Rams, the Wisconsin product has only missed three games. Those were the first games he missed in his career, ending a 149-game streak started by an NFL quarterback who is sixth all-time. He completed 64.8% of his passing attempts for 3,113 yards, 25 touchdowns and six interceptions in 14 games.

DK Metcalf and Tyler Lockett remained in the Pacific Northwest after the trade, but the talent pool isn’t thin in Denver either. Rounding out ball winner Courtland Sutton is KJ Hamler and former first-round manager Jerry Jeudy. Tight end Albert Okwuegbunam replaces Noah Fant, who was traded to Seattle as part of Wilson’s trade.

If healthy for the duration of the coming season, Wilson should eclipse 40,000 career passing yards — a feat only 22 other NFL quarterbacks have accomplished. He currently ranks sixth among active quarterbacks (37,059) behind Joe Flacco (41,269), Matthew Stafford (49,995), Aaron Rodgers (55,360), Matt Ryan (59,735) and Tom Brady (84,520).

“It’s an exciting day for the Broncos and our fans as we announce a long-term commitment to Russell Wilson as quarterback for our franchise,” Penner said in a statement. “I want to commend George Paton and his team for their hard work and diligence in getting this deal done, which has been a top priority for our organization. In addition to being a terrific quarterback and game-winner, Russell is a dynamic leader whose positive impact is felt throughout our team and community.Our organization is fully committed to winning and competing for the Super Bowls with Russell as the Bronco for many years to come.